Catheter assembly having protective sleeve tip

ABSTRACT

A ready-to-use urinary catheter assembly ( 20 ) includes a catheter ( 26 ) comprising a shaft ( 28 ) having a proximal insertion end ( 30 ) and a distal end ( 32 ) spaced from the proximal insertion end. The assembly also includes a protective sleeve ( 54 ) including a protective sleeve tip ( 36 ) being configured to cover the proximal insertion end of the catheter shaft as the proximal insertion end of the catheter shaft is inserted into a distal portion of the urethra. The proximal insertion end ( 30 ) of the catheter shaft ( 28 ) is advanced proximally to rupture the protective sleeve tip ( 36 ) and to be advanced through the remainder of the urethra.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a U.S. National Stage of PCT International Patent ApplicationNo. PCT/US2013/027781, filed Feb. 26, 2013, which claims the benefit ofand priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/603,577,filed Feb. 27, 2012, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/701,816, filed Sep. 17, 2012, all of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is generally directed to a catheter assemblyhaving a catheter shaft for insertion through the urethra for drainingurine from the bladder and, more particularly, to a catheter assemblyhaving a protective tip initially confining a proximal insertion end ofthe catheter shaft until after the protective tip has been inserted intothe distal urethra.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Catheter assemblies are a good option for many users who suffer fromvarious abnormalities of the urinary system. A common situation is wheresingle use, individually packaged, sterile ready-to-use catheters areutilized. An important criterion for single use, ready-to-use productsis that they be entirely user-friendly upon removal from the packaging.

It is quite common for single use, ready-to-use catheters to be providedwith a surface treatment which uses a lubricant adapted to reducefriction in order to allow for easier and less traumatic catheterinsertion. Currently, there are two major categories of catheters havinglubricated surfaces, i.e., so-called “gel-lubricated catheters,” havinga lubricant applied to the catheter shaft, and catheters having ahydrated hydrophilic outer surface on the catheter shaft.

In a hydrophilic lubricated catheter, the catheter is typically providedwith a thin hydrophilic coating adhered to the outer surface of thecatheter shaft. Hydrophilic lubricated catheters are activated when ahydrating agent such as water comes into direct contact with thehydrophilic coating on the catheter shaft. When this hydrophilic coatingis activated, it provides a low coefficient-of-friction surface tofacilitate catheter insertion.

When a catheter is removed from the package for insertion into theurethra, there are some disadvantages encountered. First, when theproximal insertion end of the catheter is introduced into the urethra itmay pick up pathogens that are likely to be prevalent in the distalportion of the urethra. These pathogens are then often carried by theproximal insertion end of the catheter into the bladder as it is fullyinserted, thereby possibly increasing the risk of infection. Second, thehandling of the catheter by the user may also introduce microorganismsonto the surface of the catheter which can cause infection aftercatheter insertion. For hydrophilic lubricated catheters, these issuesmust be solved without interfering with activation of the hydrophilicouter surface.

Specifically, for a hydrophilic lubricated catheter, any attempt to: i)prevent pathogens from being picked up by the proximal insertion end ofthe catheter upon introduction into the distal portion of the urethra,and ii) prevent the introduction of microorganisms onto the surface ofthe catheter as a result of handling by the user, must be addressed in amanner that does not interfere with the hydrating agent coming intodirect contact with the hydrophilic outer surface.

For hydrophilic lubricated catheters, sleeves covering the cathetershaft have not been widely available for a variety of reasons. When theyhave been provided to protect against contamination from handling of thecatheter by the user, they still have failed to remedy the problem ofthe proximal insertion end picking up pathogens when passing through thedistal portion of the urethra during catheter insertion. To address thelatter problem, the catheter may be provided with an introducer tip toallow the catheter to bypass the distal portion of the urethra.

While this tends to protect against the delivery of pathogens from thedistal portion of the urethra into the bladder, some users have anapprehension about inserting an introducer tip into the urethra duringcatheterization due to its size. In addition, introducer tips typicallyhave required providing a lubricating gel in the region of theintroducer tip as the introducer tip does not typically have ahydrophilic surface, and to ensure there is adequate lubrication of theproximal insertion end of the catheter shaft because, due to its sizeand material, the introducer tip may inhibit the ability of thehydrating agent to reach the hydrophilic outer surface on the cathetershaft. Thus, there remains a need for a new mechanism to adequatelyprotect the user against delivery of pathogens into the distal portionof the urethra into the bladder without apprehension and with little orno recognition of its existence by the user.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

There are several aspects of the present subject matter which may beembodied separately or together in the devices and systems described andclaimed below. These aspects may be employed alone or in combinationwith other aspects of the subject matter described herein, and thedescription of these aspects together is not intended to preclude theuse of these aspects separately or the claiming of such aspectsseparately or in different combinations as set forth in the claimsappended hereto.

In one aspect, a urinary catheter assembly includes a catheter having acatheter shaft with a proximal insertion end and a distal end remotefrom the proximal insertion end. The assembly also includes a protectivesleeve tip covering the proximal insertion end of the catheter shaft.The protective sleeve tip is configured to cover the proximal insertionend of the catheter shaft as the proximal insertion end of the cathetershaft is inserted into a distal portion of the urethra. The proximalinsertion end of the catheter shaft is proximally advanceable to rupturethe protective sleeve tip and to be advanced through the remainder ofthe urethra.

In another aspect, a urinary catheter assembly has a catheter includinga catheter shaft with a proximal insertion end and a distal end remotefrom the proximal insertion end. The assembly also includes a protectivesleeve covering the catheter shaft wherein the sleeve has a cathetershaft handling portion extending from a point at or near the distal endof the catheter shaft to a point near the proximal insertion end of thecatheter shaft. The catheter shaft handling portion accommodatesmanipulation of the catheter shaft for insertion of the catheter shaftthrough a urethra. The sleeve also has a rupturable protective sleevetip covering the proximal insertion end of the catheter shaft. Therupturable protective sleeve tip is configured to cover the proximalinsertion end of the catheter shaft as the proximal insertion end of thecatheter shaft is inserted into a distal portion of the urethra. Theproximal insertion end of the catheter shaft is proximally advanceableto rupture the protective sleeve tip and to be advanced through theremainder of the urethra.

In yet another aspect, a urinary catheter assembly includes a packagehaving a cavity with a catheter therein. The catheter includes acatheter shaft having a proximal insertion end, a distal end remote fromthe proximal insertion end, and a hydrated hydrophilic outer surface.The assembly also includes a protective sleeve tip covering the hydratedhydrophilic outer surface at the proximal insertion end of the cathetershaft and the protective sleeve tip includes a proximal end with aconfiguration to initially confine the proximal insertion end of thecatheter shaft. The protective sleeve tip is formed of a thin, flexiblematerial capable of conforming to the hydrated hydrophilic outer surfaceof the proximal insertion end of the catheter shaft. The hydratedhydrophilic outer surface of the catheter shaft facilitates limitedmovement of the proximal insertion end of the catheter shaft within andrelative to the protective sleeve tip while initially being confined bythe configuration of the proximal end of the protective sleeve tip. Theconfiguration of the proximal end of the protective sleeve tip resistsmovement of the proximal insertion end of the catheter shaft beyond theproximal end of the protective sleeve tip.

In another aspect, a hydrophilic urinary catheter assembly includes agas impermeable package having a sealed cavity with a catheter therein.The catheter includes a catheter shaft having a proximal insertion end,a distal end remote from the proximal insertion end, and a hydrophilicouter surface hydrated by exposure to a vapor hydrating agent in thepackage. The assembly also includes a vapor permeable sleeve throughwhich the hydrophilic outer surface of the catheter shaft has beenexposed to the vapor hydrating agent. The sleeve has a catheter shafthandling portion extending from a point at or near the distal end to apoint near the proximal insertion end of the catheter shaft and thecatheter shaft handling portion accommodates no-touch gripping of thecatheter shaft during insertion of the catheter shaft through theurethra. The sleeve also has a catheter shaft protective sleeve tipportion positioned to at least cover the proximal insertion end of thecatheter shaft. The catheter shaft protective sleeve tip portion isadapted to be inserted within the distal portion of the urethra beforethe catheter shaft is inserted through the urethra. The catheter shaftprotective sleeve tip portion closely conforms to the proximal end ofthe catheter shaft to be supported by and configured to initiallyconfine the proximal insertion end of the catheter shaft until thecatheter shaft protective sleeve tip portion has been inserted into thedistal portion of the urethra. The vapor permeable sleeve comprises athin, flexible material covering the hydrophilic outer surface of thecatheter shaft to thereby facilitate no-touch gripping and advancementof the catheter shaft, first, through the catheter shaft protectivesleeve tip portion after insertion of the catheter shaft protectivesleeve tip portion into the distal portion of the urethra and, then,through the remainder of the urethra until the proximal insertion end ofthe catheter shaft is located within the bladder.

In a further aspect, a hydrophilic urinary catheter assembly includes agas impermeable package having a sealed cavity with a catheter therein.The catheter includes a catheter shaft having a proximal insertion end,a distal end remote from the proximal insertion end, and a hydrophilicouter surface hydrated by exposure to a vapor hydrating agent in thepackage. The assembly also includes a vapor permeable sleeve throughwhich the hydrophilic outer surface of the catheter shaft including theproximal insertion end thereof has been exposed to the vapor hydratingagent. The sleeve has a catheter shaft handling portion extending from apoint at or near the distal end to a point near the proximal insertionend of the catheter shaft. The catheter shaft handling portionaccommodates no-touch gripping of the catheter shaft during insertion ofthe catheter shaft through the urethra. The sleeve also has a cathetershaft protective sleeve tip portion to be inserted within the distalportion of the urethra before the catheter shaft is inserted through theurethra. The catheter shaft protective sleeve tip portion closelyconforms to the proximal end of the catheter shaft to be supported bythe proximal insertion end of the catheter shaft and is configured toreceive and initially confine the proximal insertion end of the cathetershaft within the sleeve to facilitate insertion of the catheter shaftprotective sleeve tip portion into the distal portion of the urethrawhile at the same time preventing exposure of the catheter shaft to thedistal portion of the urethra. The protective sleeve tip portion isswollen and lubricious from exposure to a hydrating agent in the packageto facilitate insertion of the proximal end of the protective sleeve tipportion into the distal portion of the urethra. The vapor permeablesleeve comprises a thin, flexible material covering the hydrophilicouter surface of the catheter shaft to thereby facilitate no-touchgripping and advancement of the catheter shaft, first, to cause theproximal insertion end of the catheter shaft to be released fromconfinement within the sleeve after insertion of the catheter shaftprotective sleeve tip portion into the distal portion of the urethraand, then, to cause the catheter shaft to move through the remainder ofthe urethra until the proximal insertion end of the catheter shaft islocated within the bladder.

In yet another aspect, a urinary catheter assembly includes a packagehaving a cavity with a catheter therein. The catheter includes acatheter shaft having a proximal insertion end, a distal end remote fromthe proximal insertion end, and an outer surface. The assembly includinga protective sleeve tip covering the outer surface at the proximalinsertion end of the catheter shaft and having a proximal end with aconfiguration to initially confine the proximal insertion end of thecatheter shaft. A quantity of a lubricating agent is located within thepackage and the protective sleeve tip is exposed to the lubricatingagent. The protective sleeve tip is formed of a thin, flexible materialthat is lubricious when exposed to the lubricating agent and conforms tothe outer surface of the proximal insertion end of the catheter shaft.The proximal insertion end of the catheter shaft is arranged for limitedmovement within and relative to the protective sleeve tip whileinitially being confined by the configuration of the proximal end of theprotective sleeve tip. The configuration of the proximal end of theprotective sleeve tip resists movement of the proximal insertion end ofthe catheter shaft beyond the proximal end of the protective sleeve tipand the protective sleeve tip is lubricious to accommodate limitedmovement of the catheter shaft within and relative to the protectivesleeve tip while at the same time facilitating insertion of theprotective sleeve tip into the distal portion of the urethra.

In yet another aspect, a urinary catheter assembly includes a packagehaving a cavity with a catheter therein. The catheter includes acatheter shaft having a proximal insertion end, a distal end remote fromthe proximal insertion end, and an outer surface. The assembly alsoincludes a protective sleeve tip covering the outer surface at theproximal insertion end of the catheter shaft and has a proximal end witha configuration to initially confine the proximal insertion end of thecatheter shaft. The protective sleeve tip is formed of a thin, flexible,inherently lubricious material and conforms to the outer surface of theproximal insertion end of the catheter shaft. The proximal insertion endof the catheter shaft is arranged for limited movement within andrelative to the protective sleeve tip while initially being confined bythe configuration of the proximal end of the protective sleeve tip. Theconfiguration of the proximal end of the protective sleeve tip resistsmovement of the proximal insertion end of the catheter shaft beyond theproximal end of the protective sleeve tip, and the protective sleeve tipis lubricious to accommodate limited movement of the catheter shaftwithin and relative to the protective sleeve tip while at the same timefacilitating insertion of the protective sleeve tip into the distalportion of the urethra.

In yet another aspect, a urinary catheter assembly comprises a catheterhaving a shaft with a proximal insertion end and a distal end spacedfrom the proximal insertion end. The catheter shaft has a hydratedhydrophilic outer surface. The assembly further comprises a protectivesleeve constructed of at least one layer of flexible material extendingfrom the proximal insertion end to the distal end of the catheter shaftand covering the hydrated hydrophilic outer surface of the shaft. Atleast one additional layer of flexible material overlies at least aportion of the protective sleeve. The assembly further comprises a stopsurface defined by the additional layer of flexible material overlyingthe protective sleeve, the stop surface being located adjacent to theproximal insertion end of the catheter. The additional layer of flexiblematerial may be integral with the protective sleeve or secured to atleast part of the protective sleeve by sealing, bonding, molding,adhesive or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a ready-to-use catheter assembly in accordancewith the present disclosure in which a package is partially broken awayto illustrate a catheter therein;

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 1A-1Ain FIG. 1 illustrating the interior cavity of the package including avapor hydrating agent therein;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a catheter for theready-to-use catheter assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along the longitudinal axis ofthe catheter embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 2B-2Bof FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of one embodiment of a protective sleeve tip for acatheter;

FIG. 3A is a view of the proximal end of the protective sleeve tip ofFIG. 3 taken generally along the line 3A-3A;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of another embodiment of a protective sleeve tipfor a catheter;

FIG. 4A is a view of the proximal end of the protective sleeve tip ofFIG. 4 taken generally along the line 4A-4A;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of another embodiment of a protective sleeve tipfor a catheter;

FIG. 5A a side elevational view of the protective sleeve tip of theembodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of another embodiment of a protective sleeve tipfor a catheter;

FIG. 6A is a side elevational view of the protective sleeve tip of theembodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another embodiment of a protective sleeve tipfor a catheter;

FIG. 7A is a side elevational view of the protective sleeve tip of theembodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view illustrating a catheter positioned ina protective sleeve tip for insertion into the distal urethra;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the catheter of FIG. 8 afterpenetration of the catheter through the protective sleeve tip;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view illustrating the protective sleevetip contained within an introducer flange;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a catheter for theready-to-use catheter assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a side view of another embodiment of a catheter positioned ina protective sleeve and protective sleeve tip for insertion into thedistal urethra;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of another embodiment of a catheter positioned ina protective sleeve;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the catheter and sleeve of FIG. 13 shown withthe catheter tip and protective sleeve tip inserted into the urethra;and

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the catheter and protective sleeve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

In the illustrations given, and with reference first to FIGS. 1, 1A, 2and 2A, a ready-to-use urinary catheter assembly 20 comprises a package22 having a cavity 24 with a catheter 26 contained therein. The catheter26 includes a catheter shaft 28 having a proximal insertion end 30, adistal end 32 spaced from the proximal insertion end 30 and, optionally,a hydrated hydrophilic outer surface 34. The catheter 26 also includes arupturable protective sleeve tip 36 formed of a thin, flexible materialcovering the hydrated hydrophilic outer surface 34 at the proximalinsertion end 30 of the catheter shaft 28. The thin, flexible materialof the protective sleeve tip 36 is capable of conforming to the hydratedhydrophilic outer surface 34 of the proximal insertion end 30 of thecatheter shaft 28. The protective sleeve tip 36 has a rupturableproximal end 40 configured to initially confine the proximal insertionend 30 of the catheter shaft 28 during insertion of the protectivesleeve tip 36 into the distal urethra. The proximal insertion end 30 ofthe catheter shaft 28 is capable of limited movement within and relativeto the protective sleeve tip 36 while it is confined by the protectivesleeve tip 36. The limited movement is facilitated by the hydratedhydrophilic outer surface 34 which provides a highly lubricious surfacewithin the thin, flexible material of the protective sleeve tip. Whileinitially confined, the proximal end 40 of the protective sleeve tip 36resists movement of the proximal insertion end 30 of the catheter shaft28 to a point beyond the proximal end 40 of the protective sleeve tip36.

With the foregoing, the proximal insertion end 30 of the catheter shaft28 can be moved within and relative to the protective sleeve tip 36until it is at or near the proximal end 40 and encounters a resistanceto movement. The proximal insertion end 30 of the catheter shaft 28provides support for the thin, flexible material of the protectivesleeve tip 36 which conforms to and covers the proximal insertion end 30of the catheter shaft 28. As a result, the protective sleeve tip 36 caneasily be inserted into the distal urethra and, during insertion, theproximal insertion end of the catheter shaft is covered so it can't becontaminated by pathogens in the distal urethra.

In one exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 3A, theconfiguration of the rupturable proximal end 40 of the protective sleevetip 36 comprises a slit 42 closed by at least one seal 44 to initiallyconfine the proximal insertion end 30 of the catheter shaft 28 and tothereby also resist movement of the proximal insertion end 30 of thecatheter shaft 28 beyond the proximal end 40 of the protective sleevetip 36 until after the protective sleeve tip 36 has been inserted intothe distal portion of the urethra.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 3A, the catheter shaft 28 can beinserted through the urethra into the bladder following insertion of theprotective sleeve tip 36 into the distal portion of the urethra bymovement of the proximal insertion end 30 of the catheter shaft 28against the proximal end 40 of the protective sleeve tip 36 withsufficient force to cause the seal 44 to rupture.

In another exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 4A, theconfiguration of the rupturable proximal end 40 of the protective sleevetip 36 comprises a perforation 46 initially confining the proximalinsertion end 30 of the catheter shaft 28. The perforation 46 permitslimited movement of the proximal insertion end 30 of the catheter shaft28 within and relative to the protective sleeve tip 36. However, theperforation 46 also serves to resist movement of the proximal insertionend 30 of the catheter shaft 28 to a point beyond the proximal end 40 ofthe protective sleeve tip 36. The perforation 46 further permits theproximal insertion end 30 of the catheter shaft 28 to move to a pointbeyond the proximal end 40 of the protective sleeve tip 36 by rupturingthe perforation 46 with sufficient force. As shown, the perforation 46is formed of two cross-perforations 46 a and 46 b to divide theprotective sleeve tip 36 into four equal quadrants although otherperforation patterns can be used as will be apparent to those skilled inthe art.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 4A, the catheter shaft 28 can beinserted through the urethra into the bladder following insertion of theprotective sleeve tip 36 into the distal portion of the urethra bymovement of the proximal insertion end 30 of the catheter shaft 28against the proximal end 40 of the protective sleeve tip 36 withsufficient force to cause the perforation 46 to rupture.

In three other embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 5A, theconfiguration of the rupturable proximal end 40 of the protective sleevetip 36 comprises a generally semi-cylindrical shape terminating ineither a single opening 48 a smaller than the diameter of the cathetershaft 28, or three openings 48 a, 48 b, 48 c, or five openings 48 a, 48b, 48 c, 48 d, 48 e, each smaller than the diameter of the cathetershaft 28. The generally semi-cylindrical shape and the opening(s) causethe proximal insertion end 30 of the catheter shaft 28 to be initiallyconfined for limited movement within and relative to the protectivesleeve tip 36. The generally semi-cylindrical shape and the opening(s)also resist movement of the proximal insertion end 30 of the cathetershaft 28 to a point beyond the proximal end 40 of the protective sleevetip 36 but permit the proximal insertion end 30 of the catheter shaft 28to move to a point beyond the proximal end 40 of the protective sleevetip 36 by penetrating through the opening(s) with sufficient force.

In the three embodiments generally illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 5A, thecatheter shaft 28 can be inserted through the urethra into the bladderfollowing insertion of the protective sleeve tip 36 into the distalportion of the urethra by movement of the proximal insertion end 30 ofthe catheter shaft 28 against the proximal end 40 of the protectivesleeve tip 36 with sufficient force to penetrate through the singleopening 48 a, or the three openings 48 a-48 c, or the five openings 48a-48 e by rupturing the proximal end 40 of the protective sleeve tip 36to move beyond it.

In still another exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 6A, theconfiguration of the rupturable proximal end 40 of the protective sleevetip 36 comprises an inwardly curved shape terminating in a linearopening 50 shorter in length than the diameter of the catheter shaft 28.The inwardly curved shape and the linear opening 50 cause the proximalinsertion end 30 of the catheter shaft 28 to be initially confined forlimited movement within and relative to the protective sleeve tip 36and, in addition, to resist movement of the proximal insertion end 30 ofthe catheter shaft 28 to a point beyond the proximal end 40 of theprotective sleeve tip 36. However, the inwardly curved shape and thelinear opening 50 further permits the proximal insertion end 30 of thecatheter shaft 28 to move to a point beyond the proximal end 40 of theprotective sleeve tip 36 by penetrating through the linear opening 50with sufficient force.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 6A, the catheter shaft 28can be inserted through the urethra into the bladder following insertionof the protective sleeve tip 36 into the distal portion of the urethraby movement of the proximal insertion end 30 of the catheter shaft 28against the proximal end 40 of the protective sleeve tip 36 withsufficient force to rupture the proximal end 40 by penetrating throughthe linear opening 50.

In yet another exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 7A, theconfiguration of the rupturable proximal end 40 of the protective sleevetip 36 comprises an hour glass shape terminating in a linear opening 52and having a minimum hour glass spacing at 54 less than the diameter ofthe catheter shaft 28. The hour glass shape and the linear opening 52cause the proximal insertion end 30 of the catheter shaft 28 to beinitially confined for limited movement within and relative to theprotective sleeve tip 36 and, also, to resist movement of the proximalinsertion end 30 of the catheter shaft 28 beyond the proximal end 40 ofthe protective sleeve tip 36. The hour glass shape and the linearopening 52 further permit the proximal insertion end 30 of the cathetershaft 28 to move to a point beyond the proximal end 40 of the protectivesleeve tip 36 by penetrating through the minimum hour glass spacing at54 and the linear opening 52 with sufficient force.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 7A, the catheter shaft 28can be inserted through the urethra into the bladder following insertionof the protective sleeve tip 36 into the distal portion of the urethraby movement of the proximal insertion end 30 of the catheter shaft 28against the proximal end 40 of the protective sleeve tip 36 withsufficient force to rupture the proximal end 40 by penetrating throughthe minimum hour glass spacing and the linear opening 52.

In other respects, the protective sleeve tip may advantageously have anouter surface with a hydrated hydrophilic coating thereon facilitatinginsertion of the proximal end 40 of the protective sleeve tip 36 intothe distal portion of the urethra.

In the various embodiments, a quantity of a hydrating agent or,alternatively, a lubricating agent is located within the package 22 andthe protective sleeve tip 36 is preferably swollen and/or lubriciousfrom exposure to the hydrating or lubricating agent. This feature servesto facilitate the ease and comfort of inserting the proximal end 40 ofthe protective sleeve tip 36 into the distal portion of the urethra. Theprotective sleeve tip 36 material may be selected from a groupconsisting of polyurethane and polyethylene, e.g., a polyurethane filmand a polyethylene film and, preferably a polyurethane film or othermaterials set forth below.

With regard to the hydrating agent within the package 22, itadvantageously forms a 100% relative humidity atmosphere within thepackage in order to expose the protective sleeve tip 36 to thisatmosphere so it is swollen and lubricious at the time the package isopened.

Preferably, since the protective sleeve tip 36 will come into contactwith the sensitive tissues of the distal portion of the urethra, thepolyurethane film is a polyether aliphatic based film suitable for skincontact. Also, the polyurethane film may advantageously have a moisturevapor transmission rate between 900 and 11,000 g/m2/24 hrs. Still morepreferably, the moisture vapor transmission rate of the polyurethanefilm may be approximately 3000 g/m2/24 hrs.

As for other details, the polyurethane film preferably may have athickness between 0.5 and 35.0 mils and, preferably, approximately 1mil. While discussed relative to the protective sleeve tip 36, thesematerials and parameters may also apply to the sleeve 54 discussedbelow.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 2A, the catheter 26 may include a vaporpermeable sleeve 54 through which the hydrophilic outer surface 34 ofthe catheter shaft 28 has been exposed to a vapor hydrating agent 55 inthe package 22 (FIG. 1). The sleeve 54 may also include a catheter shafthandling portion 54 a extending from a point at or near the distal end32 to a point remote therefrom and generally near to the proximalinsertion end 30 of the catheter shaft 28 for no-touch gripping of thecatheter shaft 28. The sleeve 54 may have a catheter shaft protectivesleeve tip portion 54 b comprising the protective sleeve tip 36 to beinserted within the distal portion of the urethra and positioned to atleast cover the proximal insertion end 30 of the catheter shaft 28.

In this embodiment, the vapor permeable sleeve 54 comprises a thin,flexible material covering the hydrophilic outer surface 34 of thecatheter shaft 28 to thereby facilitate no-touch gripping andadvancement of the catheter shaft 28, first, through the catheter shaftprotective sleeve tip portion 54 b after insertion of the catheter shaftprotective sleeve tip portion 54 b into the distal portion of theurethra and, then, through the remainder of the urethra until theproximal insertion end 30 of the catheter shaft 28 is located within thebladder.

As will be appreciated, the catheter shaft protective sleeve tip portion54 b comprises the protective sleeve tip 36 previously described, and itcan either be a component associated with but distinct from the cathetershaft handling portion 54 a or it can be part of a single continuoussleeve comprised of a catheter shaft handling portion 54 a and acatheter shaft protective sleeve tip portion 54 b.

Referring to FIG. 1A, the vapor hydrating agent 55 in the package 22 maycomprise a strip of material exhibiting wicking or high capillary actionand holding and retaining liquid water. Preferably, the package 22 isformed of a gas and liquid impermeable material to prevent the liquidwater in the strip of material from drying out and to promote a changeof phase over time to in order to provide and maintain a vaporatmosphere within the package 22. Additionally, it may be desirable toprovide a mid-package gas permeable, liquid impermeable membrane toseparate the catheter 26 from the strip of material which holds andretains the liquid water.

Over time, at least some of the liquid water held and retained in thestrip of material will change phase into a vapor, pass through themid-package gas permeable, liquid impermeable membrane and will passthrough the vapor permeable sleeve 54 including the catheter shafthandling portion and the catheter shaft protective sleeve portion tohydrate the hydrophilic outer surface 34 from the distal end 32 entirelyto the proximal insertion end 30 so the catheter 26 is in a ready-to-usecondition when the user receives the package 22.

With regard to the embodiment which is illustrated in FIG. 11, thecatheter shaft handling portion 54 a and the catheter shaft protectivesleeve tip portion 54 b will be seen to comprise a single continuoussleeve 54 extending from a distal end point at or near the distal end 32of the catheter shaft 28 to a proximal end point beyond the proximalinsertion end 30 of the catheter shaft 28. However, in the preferredembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 2A, the catheter shaft handlingportion 54 a and the catheter shaft protective sleeve tip portion 54 beach advantageously comprise separate sleeve segments each joined to anintroducer flange 56. In the latter embodiment, it will be seen that theseparate sleeve segments 54 a and 54 b, i.e., the catheter shafthandling portion 54 a and the catheter shaft protective sleeve tipportion 54 b of the vapor permeable sleeve 54, are each joined to theintroducer flange 56 which may advantageously be located generally at ornear the proximal insertion end 30 of the catheter shaft 28.

Referring once again to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11, it willbe seen to omit the introducer flange 56 and, instead, the cathetershaft handling portion 54 a is oversized relative to the catheter shaftprotective sleeve tip portion 54 b which closely conforms to the sizeand shape of the proximal insertion end 36 of the catheter shaft 28, andthe two portions 54 a and 54 b are integral with one another in atransition area 54 c of the sleeve 54.

Advantageously, the introducer flange 56 includes a tubular portion 58having an opening 58 a to receive the catheter shaft 28 and a flangeportion 60 surrounding the tubular portion 58 to serve as a stop uponinsertion of the catheter shaft protective sleeve tip portion 54 b intothe distal portion of the urethra. The tubular portion 58 preferablyextends in the direction of the distal end 32 of the catheter shaft 28and the catheter shaft protective sleeve tip portion 54 b is preferablysecured to the outer surface of the tubular portion 58 (FIG. 2B) andreversely extends through the tubular portion 58 in the direction of andbeyond the flange portion 60. The catheter shaft handling portion 54 amay then advantageously be secured to the previously secured cathetershaft protective sleeve tip portion 54 b (FIG. 2B) on the outer surfaceof the tubular portion 58 and extend in a direction opposite the flangeportion 60 to a point near the distal end 32 of the catheter shaft 28.

The catheter shaft protective sleeve tip portion 54 b is advantageouslyformed to be of a length which is sufficient to extend entirely throughthe tubular portion 58 of the introducer flange 56 and to a pointlocated beyond the flange portion 60 by a distance sufficient toentirely traverse the distal urethra as shown in FIG. 2A. Alternatively,the catheter shaft protective sleeve tip portion 54 b may be formed ofthis length but initially reverse folded or rolled so as to be fullycontained within the tubular portion 58 of the introducer flange 56(FIG. 10), and later unfolded or unrolled to extend the catheter shaftprotective sleeve tip portion 54 b by advancing the catheter shaft 28 tothe position shown in FIG. 2A for traversing the distal urethra.

In the latter case, the proximal insertion end 30 of the catheter shaft28 will cause the reverse folded catheter shaft protective sleeve tipportion 54 b to unfold or unroll and extend in a position for insertioninto the distal urethra where it closely conforms to and covers theproximal insertion end 30 of the catheter shaft 28 as shown in FIG. 2A.

As previously described, a quantity of a hydrating or lubricating agentis located within the package 22 and the catheter shaft protectivesleeve tip portion 54 b is preferably swollen and/or lubricious fromexposure thereto. In addition to facilitating the ease and comfort ofinserting the catheter shaft protective sleeve tip portion 54 b into thedistal portion of the urethra, the unfolding or unrolling of theprotective sleeve tip portion 54 b is also facilitated.

Yet another exemplary embodiment of a catheter is illustrated in FIG.12. As with FIG. 11, introducer flange 56 is omitted in the embodimentof FIG. 12. Instead, a layer of material is provided in place of flange56. This layer of material serves the function of a flange in that itpreferably serves as a “stop” upon insertion of the catheter shaftprotective sleeve tip portion 70 and limits the distance of insertion ofa catheter proximal insertion end into the distal portion of theurethra.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 12, catheter 26 includes a cathetershaft 28 having a proximal insertion end 30 and a distal end 32 spacedfrom the proximal insertion end 30. The catheter shaft also preferablyincludes a hydrophilic outer surface 34 as described above in connectionwith prior embodiments. A protective sleeve tip 70 covers thehydrophilic outer surface 34 of the proximal insertion end 30 of thecatheter shaft 28. The proximal insertion end 30 of the catheter shaft28 provides support for the protective sleeve tip 70 which conforms toand covers the proximal insertion end 30 of the shaft 28, such that theprotective sleeve tip 70 can be inserted into the distal urethra.Preferably, the protective sleeve tip 70 is configured to initiallyconfine the proximal insertion end 30 of catheter shaft 28 duringinsertion of the protective sleeve tip 70 into the distal urethra andalso covers the insertion end of the catheter so it is not contaminatedby pathogens in the distal urethra.

It will also be appreciated that the protective sleeve tip 70 includes aproximal end 71 that covers and initially confines the proximalinsertion end 30 of the catheter shaft 28 and also resists movement ofthe proximal insertion end of the catheter beyond the proximal end 71 ofthe protective sleeve tip until after the tip has been inserted into thedistal portion of the urethra. The catheter shaft 28 can be insertedthrough the urethra into the bladder following insertion of theprotective sleeve tip 70 into the distal portion of the urethra bymovement of the proximal insertion end 30 of the catheter shaft 28against the proximal end 71 of the protective sleeve tip 70 withsufficient force to cause the proximal end 71 of the tip to rupture. Thestructure of the proximal end 71 and the configuration of the rupturableportion may vary, and can include, for example, one or more of theexemplary embodiments described above and illustrated in FIGS. 3-7A.Preferably, proximal end 71 comprises a slit, perforation or openingclosed by at least one seal to initially confine the catheter proximalinsertion end 30, which slit or opening can be ruptured by movinginsertion end 30 against the proximal end 71 with sufficient force.

The protective sleeve tip 70 may be constructed from various materials,including monolayer and/or co-extruded films, such as polyurethaneand/or polyethylene film, with a thickness and vapor transmission ratesimilar to that mentioned above in connection with previously describedembodiments. However, other materials having differing characteristicsand parameters are also contemplated. Preferably, the protective sleevetip 70 may be constructed of multiple layers of material, such as, forexample, two layers of the material or film. In one example, theprotective sleeve tip 70 may be formed from two layers of Mylan® filmmaterial offered by Mylan Technologies of St. Albans, Vt. The protectivesleeve tip 70 may be up to about 50 mm in length and up to about 40 mmin diameter. More preferably, the tip may be about 20-30 mm in lengthand about 20 mm in diameter. It is advantageous that the protectivesleeve tip have an outer surface with a hydrated hydrophilic coatingthereon to facilitate insertion of the tip 70 into the distal portion ofthe urethra.

Referring to FIG. 12, the catheter 26 also preferably includes a sleeve72. It is desirable for the sleeve 72 to be vapor permeable throughwhich the hydrophilic outer surface 34 of the catheter shaft is exposedto a vapor hydrating agent present in the catheter packaging, such aspackaging 22 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The sleeve 72 provides a“no-touch” gripping surface for the user so that the catheter shaft 28is not exposed to direct handling by the user and/or contaminants in theexternal environment before and during insertion. The materialsdescribed above with respect to the protective sleeve tip 70 may alsoapply and be used to construct the sleeve 72. In particular, it ispreferable that sleeve 72 be constructed of one or multiple layers ofmaterial (e.g. Mylan film) such as two layers of the material or filmfor example. As FIG. 12 illustrates, a wider portion 76 of sleeve 72 mayextend from the catheter distal end 32 to a point at or near where thesleeve tapers into a more narrow diameter that defines protective tip 70or where sleeve 72 otherwise meets the protective tip 70. For example,the wider portion 76 of sleeve 72 may extend from the catheter distalend 32 to a point that is approximately 20 mm from the protective sleevetip proximal end 71.

In one embodiment, protective sleeve tip 70 may be integral with sleeve72, such that the tip and sleeve comprise a single continuous structureextending from the proximal insertion end 30 to the distal portion 32 ofthe catheter 26. However, it is also contemplated that the protectivesleeve tip 70 and sleeve 72 are separate structures that can be joinedtogether. In the latter embodiment, the tip 70 and sleeve 72 may bejoined together, for example, at or near the point where the widersection 76 of sleeve 72 meets the more narrow or tapered portion thatdefines protective sleeve tip 70.

As further illustrated in FIG. 12, one or more additional layers offlexible material may be secured to sleeve 72. In one embodiment, theadditional layer of material may extend from a point at or near theprotective sleeve tip to the catheter distal end, however, morepreferably, the additional layer of material comprises a segment ofmaterial or flange portion, adjacent the protective sleeve tip 70. Moreparticularly, it is preferable that the flange portion or segment is aband of material 74 positioned at a point where the wider portion 76 ofsleeve 72 narrows or tapers into a smaller diameter that definesprotective tip 70 or where sleeve 72 otherwise meets or joins protectivetip 70. In one example, the band of material comprises at least onelayer of film that is integral with, or alternatively, is secured to atleast a portion of sleeve 72. The material may be secured to sleeve 72by various methods, such as sealing, bonding, molding, adhesive or thelike. The band of material 74 may be approximately 10 mm wide and sealedto sleeve 72 approximately 20-30 mm from the protective tip proximal end71, although, it is also contemplated that the band of material 74 iscomprised of more than a single layer of material and may be positionedat any point closer to or farther away from the catheter proximalinsertion end, as may be desired or required for a particular use.

It will be appreciated that the band of material 74 comprises a radiallyextending multiple layer film assembly which provides a “stop” surface.In other words, the band of material 74 comprises at least one layersecured to at least a portion of the material that makes up sleeveportion 72, therefore resulting in a multiple layer assembly. Morespecifically, in a preferred embodiment, sleeve 72 comprises two layersof material or film, while band of material 74 comprises one layer ofmaterial or film bonded or sealed to sleeve 72, thus forming an assemblyof at least three layers of material at segment or band 74. In oneembodiment, the band of material 74 may be constructed from variousmaterials including those already described above in connection with thesleeve and protective sleeve tip. However, it is also contemplated thatband of material 74 may be constructed of other materials havingdifferent characteristics and/or parameters. More specifically, thematerial may differ in thickness, rigidity, flexibility and permeabilityas compared to the materials that make up the sleeve and/or protectivesleeve tip. In any event, it is preferable that during use, theprotective tip 70 (and the catheter proximal insertion end 30 covered bythe protective tip) can be inserted or advanced into the urethralopening only a limited distance until the stop surface provided by theband of material 74 abuts the meatus M of the penis (or the urethralopening for females, not shown). As such, the band of material 74 servesthe stop function of an introducer flange, (i.e. such as flange 56, 60described herein).

The described embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12 provides severaladvantages. For example, the necessity for an additional molded flangecomponent as well as the need for assembling and/or bonding a separateflange component to the catheter 26 is eliminated, thus simplifyingmanufacturing and assembly processes without compromising functionality.Use of a band of material 74 sealed or bonded to at least part of one orboth of a protective sleeve tip and sleeve essentially incorporates the“stop” function of a flange-like structure into a simplified andstreamlined design that, from the perspective of the user who requirescatheterization, is easy to use and may be visually less intimidating.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, the manner in which all of the foregoingembodiments are used can be best understood. If the proximal insertionend 30 of the catheter shaft 28 is not already positioned as shown, thecatheter shaft 28 is gripped through the catheter shaft handling portion54 a or sleeve 72 and advanced toward the proximal end 40, 71 of theprotective sleeve tip 36, 70 or catheter shaft protective sleeve tipportion 54 b until resistance to movement is felt. At this point, theuser may grip the tubular portion 58 or the flange portion 60 of theintroducer flange 56 or alternatively, grip the catheter sleeve 72 at ornear band of material 74.

Once the user has gripped one of the portions of the introducer flangeor the sleeve 72 near band 74, the proximal end 40, 71 of the protectivesleeve tip 36, 70 or the catheter shaft protective sleeve tip portion 54b can be advanced for insertion into the urethral opening 62 until thestop surface of the flange portion 60 or band of material 74 restsagainst the meatus M of the penis (or the urethral opening for females,not shown). The protective sleeve tip 36, 70 or catheter shaftprotective sleeve tip portion 54 b will line the distal urethra whilestill covering the proximal insertion end of catheter shaft 28 so thatit cannot become exposed to pathogens located in the distal urethra. Theuser can grip the catheter shaft 28 through the catheter shaft handlingportion 54 a or sleeve 72 and exert a force to cause the proximalinsertion end 30 of the catheter shaft 28 to rupture or otherwise passthrough the proximal end 40, 71 of the protective sleeve tip 36, 70 orcatheter shaft protective sleeve tip portion 54 b.

FIGS. 13-15 illustrate another embodiment of a catheter assembly 80 ofthe present disclosure. In catheter assembly 80, catheter 26 is coveredby a protective sleeve 82 which provides a no-touch gripping of catheter26 as described above. Catheter 26 has the same or similar features asdescribed above and preferably, but not necessary, includes ahydrophilic outer coating.

Protective sleeve 82 includes a distal end portion 84 and a proximal endportion 86 which includes a protective proximal end sleeve tip 88. Theprotective sleeve 82 also includes a catheter shaft handling portion 85through which the user may grip and manipulate the catheter shaft 28.The protective sleeve tip 88 may be smaller in cross-section than therest of protective sleeve 82. Preferably, the cross-section of sleevetip 88 is slightly bigger than the proximal end insertion end 30 ofcatheter shaft 28 so as to snugly fit thereover. Also, the sleeve tip 88may be merged or joined with the rest of sleeve 82 at transition area87, which may be in the form of a shoulder.

The protective sleeve 82 and sleeve tip 88 may be constructed fromvarious materials, including monolayer and/or co-extruded films, such aspolyurethane and/or polyethylene film, with a thickness and vaportransmission rate similar to that mentioned above in connection withpreviously described embodiments. However, other materials havingdiffering characteristics and parameters are also contemplated. Forexample, the protective sleeve 82 and sleeve tip 88 may be constructedof multiple layers of material, such as, for example, two layers of thematerial or film. In one particular example, the protective sleeve tip88 may be formed from two layers of Mylan® film material offered byMylan Technologies of St. Albans, Vt. Sleeve tip 88, optionally, mayhave an outer hydrophilic surface that is highly lubricous when hydratedto facilitate the insertion of the sleeve tip 88 into the urethralopening 62 (FIG. 14). Additionally, when a hydrophilic catheter isemployed, it is desirable for the protective sleeve 82 to be vaporpermeable through which the hydrophilic outer surface of the cathetershaft 28 is exposed to a vapor hydrating agent present in the catheterpackaging, such as packaging 22 as illustrated in FIG. 1. Sleeve tip 88and the rest of protective sleeve 82 may be of a one-piece constructionor may be made from two separate components that are joined together attransition area 87. In one example, protective sleeve 82 may be made ofa material that is configured for vapor transmission for hydrating ahydrophilic catheter and/or for no-touch gripping of catheter shaft 28while sleeve tip 88 may be made of a material that is configured forinsertion into the distal opening of the urethra.

Referring to FIG. 13, the distal end portion 84 of protective sleeve 82may be affixed or connected to a connection member, such as funnel 29,located at the distal end portion 32 of the catheter shaft 28. In analternative embodiment, the distal end portion 84 of protective sleeve82 may be affixed or connected to the distal end portion 32 of cathetershaft 28. The distal end portion 84 may be affixed to funnel 29 or thedistal end 32 of catheter shaft 28 in any suitable manner, such as byheat sealing, welding or adhesive. Preferably, distal end portion 84 ofprotective sleeve 82 itself and/or the connection between distal endportion 84 and the funnel 29 or distal end portion 32 of catheter 28includes vents that allow air to move out of the protective sleeve 82 asthe catheter is advanced out of the sleeve 82 and the sleeve collapses.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 15, the proximal end portion 86 of protectivesleeve 82 includes a stop member 90 adjacent to sleeve tip 88. The stopmember 90 is defined by a band or strip of material 92 that is attachedor affixed 82 along edges 94 and 96 of the band of material to thedistal end portion 86 of the protective sleeve. The proximal edge 98 ofthe band of material 92 is not attached to the protective sleeve 82 anddefines or provides a “stop” surface that abuts the meatus M of thepenis (or the urethral opening for females, not shown) to preventfurther insertion of the protective sleeve 82 into the urethral opening62, as illustrated in FIG. 14. In the illustrated embodiment, sleeve 82includes one band or strip of material 92 that extends over one side ofthe sleeve. In an alternative embodiment, the sleeve may include asecond band or strip of material that extends over the other side of thesleeve 82.

The band of material 92 is preferably a thin film that may beconstructed from various materials including those already describedabove in connection with the sleeve and protective sleeve tip. However,it is also contemplated that band of material 92 may be constructed ofother materials having different characteristics and/or parameters. Morespecifically, the material may differ in thickness, rigidity andflexibility as compared to the materials that make up the sleeve and/orprotective sleeve tip.

The proximal insertion end 30 of catheter shaft 28 provides support forthe protective sleeve tip 88 which conforms to and covers the proximalinsertion end 30 of catheter shaft 28, such that the protective sleeveproximal tip 88 is inserted into the urethral opening 62 with theproximal insertion end 30 of catheter shaft 28. The sleeve tip 88 ofprotective sleeve 82 initially confines proximal insertion end 30 of thecatheter shaft 28 and also resists movement of the proximal insertionend of the catheter beyond the sleeve tip 88 of the protective sleeve 82until after the proximal insertion end 30 of catheter shaft 28 andsleeve tip 88 have been inserted into the distal portion of the urethra.The catheter shaft 28 can be inserted through the urethra into thebladder following insertion of the sleeve tip 88 of the protectivesleeve 82 into the distal portion of the urethra by movement of theproximal insertion end 30 of the catheter shaft 28 against the sleevetip 88 of the protective sleeve 82 with sufficient force to cause theproximal end portion 100 of sleeve tip 88 to rupture. The structure ofthe rupturable sleeve tip 88 of protective sleeve 82 and theconfiguration of the rupturable proximal end portion 100 may vary, andcan include, for example, one or more of the exemplary embodimentsdescribed above and illustrated in FIGS. 3-7A. Preferably, the endportion 100 of sleeve tip 88 comprises a slit, perforation or openingclosed by at least one seal to initially confine the catheter proximalinsertion end 30, which slit or opening can be ruptured by movinginsertion end 30 against the end portion 100 of the sleeve tip 88 withsufficient force.

In any event, it is preferable that during use, the sleeve tip 88 andthe catheter proximal insertion end 30 covered by the sleeve tip areinserted or advanced into the urethral opening 62 as illustrate in FIG.14. The sleeve tip 88 is inserted until edge/stop surface 98 of the bandof material 92 abuts the meatus M of the penis (or the urethral openingfor females, not shown) which substantially prevents further insertionof the sleeve tip 88 and sleeve 82 into the urethral opening 62. Asdescribed above, the catheter proximal insertion end 30 is continued tobe advanced with sufficient force to cause the end portion 100 of sleevetip to rupture. The catheter proximal insertion end 30 is then advancedthrough the urethra and into the bladder.

Regardless of the structure of the proximal end 40, 71, 100 of theprotective sleeve tip 36, 70, 88 or catheter shaft protective sleeve tipportion 54 a which may conform to any of the previously describedembodiments or even other similar or equivalent arrangements, thecatheter may then pass through the urethra into the bladder free of anyrestraint from the protective sleeve tip 36, 70, 88 or the cathetershaft sleeve tip portion 54 b, as illustrated in FIG. 9.

In other respects, at least the protective sleeve tip 36, 70, 88 may beformed of a material having antimicrobial particles although it may alsobe desirable for the entire vapor permeable sleeve 54, 72, 82 to beformed of a material containing antimicrobial particles. Theantimicrobial particles may be selected from a group consisting of ionicsilver, zinc, ceragenin CSA-13, nitrofurazone, tetracycline andminocycline. Additionally, it is believed desirable for the length ofthe protective sleeve tip 36, 70 or catheter shaft protective sleeve tipportion 54 b or 88 to extend beyond the flange portion 60 of theintroducer flange 56 or beyond band of material 74 or 92 by betweenabout 10 mm and about 30 mm.

With regard to these dimensions, it is believed that having theprotective sleeve tip 36, 70 or the catheter shaft protective sleeve tipportion 54 b or 88 extend beyond the flange or band portion 74 or 92 bybetween about 10 mm and about 30 mm will be sufficient to fully traversethe distal urethra so the proximal insertion end 30 will not pick uppathogens once it has ruptured or otherwise passed through the proximalend 40, 71, 100 of the protective sleeve tip 36, 70, 88 or the cathetershaft protective sleeve tip portion as the catheter 26 is being insertedthrough the urethra into the bladder.

With regard to the thin, flexible material of the vapor permeable sleeve54, 72, or 82 it may comprise a polyurethane or polyethylene film aspreviously described for the protective sleeve tip 36, 70. In stillother respects, the vapor permeable sleeve may also comprise anelastomeric hydrogel film, may be selected from a group consisting ofplasticized PVC and polypropylene, or may comprise a polyurethanepolyethylene oxide block copolymer. Further, the vapor permeable sleevemay have a thickness within the range of about 10 to about 150 micronsand, more preferably, about 13 to about 50 microns to facilitateno-touch gripping of the catheter.

In addition to the foregoing, the thin, flexible material of the vaporpermeable sleeve 54, 72 or 82 may comprise a material that is inherentlylubricious without swelling including fluorinated polymers (such as PTFEand PCTFE and short fluoro alkyl chains), polymers with suitablypatterned surfaces which may exhibit lubricity due to their lowercontact area, polymers that contain an alkyl amine or a zinc stearateprocessing aid, polymers used for bearing and moving surfaceapplications which have high wear resistance (such as polyoxymethylenecopolymers and Nylon polymers), and polymers containing low molecularweight functional silicone (such as silicone oil-added or copolymerized)and alkyl groups.

While the foregoing sets forth details of the present disclosure, itwill be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the details hereingiven may be varied without departing from the true spirit and scope ofthe appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A urinary catheter assembly, comprising: acatheter including a catheter shaft having a proximal insertion end anda distal end remote from the proximal insertion end, the proximalinsertion end of the catheter shaft including a closed proximal terminalend; a protective sleeve extending over an outer surface of the cathetershaft from the closed proximal terminal end to the distal end, whereinthe protective sleeve has a proximal end portion defining a protectivesleeve tip covering the proximal insertion end of the catheter shaft andhaving a rupturable proximal end confining the proximal insertion end ofthe catheter shaft within the protective sleeve tip; the protectivesleeve and sleeve tip being of a single continuous unitary constructionwherein the protective sleeve and sleeve tip are formed from the samethin, flexible material, wherein the proximal insertion end of thecatheter shaft is confined within the protective sleeve tip and thethin, flexible material of the protective sleeve tip conforms to and issupported by the proximal insertion end of the catheter shaft to insertthe protective sleeve tip into the urethral opening; and the proximalinsertion end of the catheter shaft being proximally advanceable torupture the proximal end of the protective sleeve tip to advance thecatheter through the urethra.
 2. The urinary catheter assembly of claim1 wherein the rupturable proximal end of the protective sleeve tipcomprises a slit closed by at least one seal.
 3. The urinary catheterassembly of claim 1 wherein the rupturable proximal end of theprotective sleeve tip comprises a perforation.
 4. The urinary catheterassembly of claim 1 wherein the rupturable proximal end of theprotective sleeve tip comprises a substantially semi-cylindrical shapeterminating in a single opening smaller than the diameter of thecatheter shaft.
 5. The urinary catheter assembly of claim 1 wherein therupturable proximal end of the protective sleeve tip comprises asubstantially semi-cylindrical shape terminating in three openings eachsmaller than the diameter of the catheter shaft.
 6. The urinary catheterassembly of claim 1 wherein the rupturable proximal end of theprotective sleeve tip comprises a substantially semi-cylindrical shapeterminating in five openings each smaller than the diameter of thecatheter shaft.
 7. The urinary catheter assembly of claim 1 wherein therupturable proximal end of the protective sleeve tip comprises aninwardly curved shape terminating in a linear opening shorter in lengththan the diameter of the catheter shaft.
 8. The urinary catheterassembly of claim 1 wherein the rupturable proximal end of theprotective sleeve tip comprises an hour glass shape terminating in alinear opening and a minimum hour glass spacing less than the diameterof the catheter shaft to confine the proximal insertion end of thecatheter shaft.
 9. The urinary catheter assembly of claim 1 wherein theprotective sleeve tip has an outer surface having a hydrated hydrophiliccoating thereon facilitating insertion of the proximal end of theprotective sleeve tip into the distal portion of the urethra.
 10. Theurinary catheter assembly of claim 1 wherein the thin, flexible materialfrom which the protective sleeve tip is formed is selected from a groupconsisting of polyurethane and polyethylene.
 11. The urinary catheterassembly of claim 1 wherein the catheter assembly includes a stop memberthat limits advancement of the protective sleeve tip into the distalportion of the urethra.
 12. The urinary catheter assembly of claim 11wherein the stop member comprises an introducer flange associate withthe protective sleeve tip.
 13. The urinary catheter assembly of claim 11wherein the stop member comprises a band of material distal of andadjacent the protective sleeve tip.
 14. The urinary catheter assembly ofclaim 11 wherein the stop element comprises a stop surface associatedwith the protective sleeve.
 15. The urinary catheter assembly of claim14 wherein the protective sleeve comprises at least a first layer offlexible material and the stop surface is defined by an additional layerof protective material overlying the first layer of flexible material.16. The urinary catheter assembly of claim 14 wherein the protectivesleeve includes a catheter shaft handling portion.
 17. The urinarycatheter assembly of claim 13 wherein the stop member includes a stopsurface defined by a proximal edge of the band of material.
 18. Theurinary catheter assembly of claim 1 wherein the catheter includes ahydrophilic coating.
 19. The catheter assembly of claim 1 wherein theprotective sleeve tip has a thickness of between about 0.5 mils andabout 35 mils.
 20. A urinary catheter assembly, comprising: a catheterincluding a catheter shaft having a proximal insertion end and a distalend remote from the proximal insertion end, the proximal insertion endof the catheter shaft including a closed proximal terminal end; aprotective sleeve of unitary construction extending over an outersurface of the catheter shaft from the closed proximal terminal end tothe distal end, wherein the protective sleeve has a proximal end portiondefining a protective sleeve tip, the protective sleeve and sleeve tipbeing of a single continuous unitary construction wherein the protectivesleeve and sleeve tip are formed from the same thin, flexible material,the protective sleeve tip covering the proximal insertion end of thecatheter shaft and having a rupturable proximal end confining theproximal insertion end of the catheter shaft, the protective sleeveextending from the proximal insertion end of the catheter shaft to alocation at or near the distal end of the catheter shaft; and theprotective sleeve tip conforming to the proximal insertion end of thecatheter shaft and the proximal insertion end of the catheter shaftsupporting the thin, flexible material of the protective sleeve tip forinserting the protective sleeve tip into a distal portion of theurethra.